Consolidated Case Contends Social Media is Damaging to Mental Health

 Politico - The argument that social media is damaging the mental health of Americans may soon be put to the test in California. Next month, lawyers are expected to file a consolidated complaint in the Northern District of California accusing these tech companies of making apps that cause eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. This case will test a novel legal theory: social media algorithms are defective products that encourage addictive behaviors and should be governed by existing product liability laws. It could have a profound impact on how software is developed and regulated, and how the next generation uses social media. Despite the fact that applying product liability law to algorithms is relatively new legal territory, a growing number of lawsuits are testing the validity of this approach.